CANDIDATE

Working with patients across Perth, Dr. Chris Allen and his team specialise in abdominoplasty. Ideal candidates include:

Patients with abdominal features as a result of pregnancy or weight loss

Patients with excess skin folds or loose skin on the lower abdomen

Patients with undesired stretch marks or scars

Patients with excess fat accumulated

Patients with a desire to remove bulges or protuberances as a result of stretched abdominal muscles

PROCEDURE

Also known as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure transforming the appearance of the abdomen. Patients undergo a general anaesthesia administered for around three hours – the duration of the surgery. A small bikini incision is made low on the abdomen, easily concealable by even revealing garments. A second incision is made around the umbilicus (belly button).

Loose, stretched muscles are tightened with sutures and excess skin and fat are removed. Incisions are sutured with buried, dissolving sutures. Drains may be inserted to eliminate fluid build-up and a firm, elastic support garment can be applied. Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction.

MINI ABDOMINOPLASTY

A less extensive procedure, a mini abdominoplasty focuses on a fuller lower abdomen. It corrects abdominal bulging and localised obesity or stretched skin following pregnancy. A shorter, transverse excision is used in the bikini line with no incision required around the umbilicus. Muscles are tightened and wounds are closed using dissolvable sutures.

RECOVERY

Following an abdominoplasty, you should expect a hospital stay of three to four days. Drains are generally used for several days after. On your third day of recovery, you’re able to shower.

Moderate discomfort should be expected for the first two days, significantly decreasing by the third day. Readily available medications will help greatly in ensuring that discomfort is minimal. Swelling is mild to moderate for the first week, and bruising is generally minimal or very mild.

After one week, dressings will be changed and your recovery will be reviewed. A support garment is usually worn for two to four weeks to aid in recovery. As all sutures are dissolvable, no removals are required.

You’re able to resume many activities after the first week and most by at least four weeks. We recommend taking two to four weeks off work, depending on the demands of your job.

RESULTS

Following an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, you’ll find that your abdomen is firmer, flatter, tighter and more contoured. Clothing will feel better and you may even go down a few sizes.

During week one of your recovery, your abdomen will look natural and presentable. After three to six months, the abdomen will continue to settle and enhance. Over time, results will become more natural in appearance and will generally become permanent.

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